HELP

[whisperofdusk]

So my hubby and I have been setting up our saltwater reef aquarium over the past few months. Everything has been stable the last month. Over that time we have added two anemones, 3 corals, two starfish and a feather duster. My hubby went out of town for a week and everything was good. A few days back I noticed really tiny black things swimming on one of the live rocks. I searched and searched the next day and saw no signs of them. Then yesterday one of the starfish had lost two legs, as I was looking closer I noticed small bug like things. I spent all day researching and I think one is a copepod but not sure if the other is the same or what! I hope someone can help identify them so I know that there is no concern to our aquarium.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

First pic is a amphipod (Gammarid) and #2 is an isopod (Munnid). Neither of those did anything to the starfish.

 

[whisperofdusk]

Ok are they harmful to the aquarium?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

No, your fish will eat them, they'll help clean up and be a cool critter for biodiversity. There is ONE video out there that shows an Amphipod having a chew on a coral. For as common as they are, the risk of that happening is low. Extremely, extremely low.

 

[whisperofdusk]

Thank you so much!!! I greatly appreciate it!!!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

 

[Rybren]

You have what appears to be a sand sifting starfish. Your tank is very young and there may not be enough food in the tank for it. It could be slowly melting away due to lack of nutrition.

 

[whisperofdusk]

Its a 65 gallon, theres still lots of algae but we put in two of the same size. They have done great for a month. Could the anemone have stung it?

 

[Rybren]

It's possible I suppose, but with two in your tank, I really suspect starvation.

http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/sand-sifting-starfish-job-too-well-done-astropecten-4399/

 

[whisperofdusk]

Thank you that was very helpful. I guess I should have done more research before getting them. But we are in a small town with one pet store that doesn't know a lot and I discovered they have been giving us some misinformation.